Was Scotland's summer tour a success or failure?
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
28 minutes ago
- The Independent
Louis Rees-Zammit to return to rugby after chasing NFL dream: ‘It's time to come home'
Louis Rees-Zammit has announced that he will return to rugby 18 months after a shock decision to pursue his dream of playing in the NFL. The 24-year-old made a stunning decision on the eve of the 2024 Six Nations to leave his boyhood sport behind and move to America via the NFL's International Player Pathway. Rees-Zammit subsequently spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars but did not appear in a regular season game for either side, and a month before the new campaign begins, he has left the Jaguars. A return to rugby now beckons for a player who had established himself as one of the brightest Welsh prospects before leaving the sport. 'I've got an exciting announcement to make,' Rees-Zammit said on social media. 'I've decided to leave the NFL and return to rugby. 'It's been a great experience but it's time to come home. I've decided that this is the best time to make this decision to give myself time to get everything in place for next season. There's only one thing that's on my mind, that's coming back to rugby and doing what I do best. I can't explain how excited I am. There'll be more news to come soon but for now, see you soon rugby fans.' Rees-Zammit made a rapid impression after becoming Gloucester's youngest ever Premiership player as an 18-year-old in 2018, and a Wales debut soon followed in 2020. A standout Six Nations in 2021 earned the youngster a trip with the British and Irish Lions to South Africa later that year, though he did not feature on the wing in the Tests against the Springboks. His international career was put on pause after the 2023 Rugby World Cup with a tally of 14 tries in 32 Tests, but Rees-Zammit could now be back to bolster the Welsh squad for the November internationals.
Daily Mail
29 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Tottenham 'in talks to sign £44m former Premier League star on loan' as Thomas Frank eyes surprise coup for his fourth summer signing
Tottenham 's summer business under new boss Thomas Frank will reportedly continue with talks over what would be their fourth signing of the transfer window. Spurs have already moved quickly to reshape their squad ahead of the new campaign, securing a £55million deal for Mohammed Kudus from West Ham, and strengthening their defence with Luka Vuskovic and Kota Takai. The north London club have already missed out on one midfield target, Morgan Gibbs-White, who had been expected to undergo a medical before a dramatic U-turn saw him sign a new contract at Nottingham Forest last week. But it appears that setback has only accelerated efforts to add another figure to the spine of Frank's team. Now, Spurs are in advanced talks with Bayern Munich over a loan deal for former Fulham star Joao Palhinha, according to The Athletic. Palhinha has struggled to find his footing in Germany since his £44m move last summer. The 30-year-old Portugal international started just 10 league games for Bayern last season, with Vincent Kompany often favouring other options in midfield. Palhinha was a revelation during his two years at Fulham, winning the club's Player of the Season award in 2022-23 and making 79 appearances in all competitions. Palhinha came through the ranks at Sporting CP before loan spells with Moreirense, Belenenses and Braga, and his rise to prominence saw him become a regular for Portugal's national team. As well as being their fourth summer signing, the deal would also mark Tottenham's second piece of business with Bayern this window. Their first move of the summer was to seal a permanent deal for Mathys Tel, who spent the second half of last season on loan at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Sun
29 minutes ago
- The Sun
Horse racing tips: ‘He goes on any ground and arrives after a personal best' – Templegate's 5-1 NAP
TEMPLEGATE takes on Friday's racing from Glorious Goodwood confident of success after banging in a 28-1 treble on Thursday. Back a horse by clicking their odds below. FIFTH COLUMN (2.30 Goodwood, nap) John Gosden has a nice three-year-old on his hands in this son of Kingman. He showed promise last season and got off the mark in a Kempton maiden on comeback in April. That form was quickly left behind with a smooth handicap success at Sandown - before an excellent effort in the Britannia at Royal Ascot. He was only seventh in that hot contest but he was first home in his group getting the worst of the draw. He clocked a personal best when winning at Newmarket last time and relishes this mile trip. He goes on any ground so it won't matter what the weather does. Likes it here and can show his class in the King George Qatar Stakes. He is just about the only runner in the field who is proven in testing conditions - and looks set to get just that. 1.20 KYLE OF LOCHALSH is fancied to go three better than last year's fourth and land this marathon prize. He's on the same mark, handles any ground and shaped with promise on his reappearance. He's much more lightly raced than 12 months ago and looks primed to peak. Aggagio loves it round here and was impressive under Ashley Lewis last time but stamina beyond 2m remains a question mark. Align The Stars hasn't quite fired this year but ran well in a strong Royal Ascot handicap and is lurking on a handy mark. He has a good record here but came up short in this last year. Tashkhan is classy and thrives in deep ground should it rain, with similar comments applying to Zinc White. Sheradann has been knocking on the door and shapes as though this trip will suit. Irish raider Mordor is interesting as this stamina test could bring improvement. 1.55 DIEGO VENTURA is just about the only runner in the field who is proven in testing conditions. James Doyle's mount has been running well at Listed level in France and scored over seven furlongs at Longchamp in May. He then went well at Epsom before going down in a bunch finish at Chantilly last time. Conditions will be ideal and he has more to come. Cosmic Year has shown his best on good ground as he showed when second in the Irish 2,000 Guineas which is strong form. The ground may not be ideal but this is a fair drop in class which makes him a player. King Of Cities has been placed on tacky ground and sees out this trip well. He has yet to win this season but could go well under Ryan Moore. Seagulls Eleven was a solid second to non-runner Opera Ballo at Newmarket last time. He's unproven on this ground and needs a step forward. 2.30 FIFTH COLUMN can take another step up for the Gosdens. His only defeat this season came when a strong-finishing seventh in the Britannia at Royal Ascot, where he won his group and shaped like the best horse on the far side. He confirmed that when winning stylishly at Newmarket last time, and a 3lb penalty might not be enough to anchor this improving three-year-old who can beat his elders. Skukuza is the main threat. He's officially 8lb well in after two smooth wins at The Curragh, including a Listed last time, and is clearly thriving. Greek Order ran a screamer in the Royal Hunt Cup on his first start back from the US and again shaped well at Sandown behind Arisaig who is a contender here. He's a big player if things fall right. Ebt's Guard has run well here before and wasn't beaten far in the Royal Hunt Cup. BIG MOJO can follow up last year's Glorious Goodwood win in the King George Qatar Stakes. Mick Appleby's flyer ran a cracker at Newmarket last time and looks up to this level. Aussie Asfoora will show her true colours here after a poor Ascot run, while She's Quality lives up to her name. Here's my guide to the field, where I rate them one (worst) to five (best): ASFOORA 4 FOOR star. Aussie raider won the King Charles III at Royal Ascot last year was just denied in this. Had excuses this year and could bounce back. BIG MOJO 5 BIG chance. Won Molecomb here last year and has progressed at three. Unlucky in the Commonwealth Cup and ran a huge race in the July Cup. Strong claims back at 5f. CELANDINE 2 HARD Cel. Chased home Big Mojo in last year's Molecomb and beat Time For Sandals over 6f at York. Needs to prove she enjoys 5f as much. CLARENDON HOUSE 1 DON for. Has run well over this C&D before but was poor at Epsom last time and needs more at this level. FROST AT DAWN 3 HOT Frost. Won 6f Listed race earlier this season and showed real speed when second in the King Charles III at Royal Ascot. Can go close again. JM JUNGLE 2 JUNGLE fever. Won over C&D at this meeting in 2023 and landed the Epsom Dash in June. Ran well in Listed last time but not up to this. KERDOS 3 TAKE Ker. Fifth in this race last year and good run in the King Charles III. Likes tacky ground and cheekpieces may help. KHAADEM 3 KHA motors. Won this in 2022 and has landed two Group 1s. He's unbeaten in two runs here and looks a big place price. MANACCAN 1 DANGER Man. Solid Listed performer over this trip but has been struggling for a while. NIGHT RAIDER 3 NIGHT shifts. Unbeaten in four AW starts including a Listed 6f at Newcastle. Turf form not as hot but it's early days. SHE'S QUALITY 4 QUALITY pays. Ran a stormer when second in a hot Group 2 at Haydock in May. Sandown didn't suit last time and this test looks much more suitable. SPARTAN ARROW 2 BLUNT arrow. Has improved since sporting cheekpieces and took a French Listed prize latest. Goes well here and track/trip suits but this is much tougher opposition. TIME FOR SANDALS 3 TIME trial. Surprise winner of the Commonwealth Cup over 6f at Ascot. Could improve again but drop in trip an unknown. TOWN AND COUNTRY 1 TOWN and out. Few miles on the clock and is a Listed winner over this trip. Progressive but needs a lot more in this company. 3.45 SOCIALITE can get the party started. Charlie Hills' four-year-old can take this prize with a bold front-running show. He quickened smartly to win at Windsor on handicap debut, shaping as though this extra furlong would suit. Lightly raced, progressive and effective on any ground, he could prove tough to pass from a handy draw. Liberty Lane is the main danger, with a soft-ground Cambridgeshire win and a Listed success here this year marking him out as a serious player. Haunted Dream won this race last year and had excuses at Royal Ascot. He's a big threat back at this track. Godwinson is thriving after wins in the Lincoln and at Newcastle. He'll be right there if liking this longer trip. Fox Legacy is flying and isn't written off provided the rain stays away. Templegate's tips Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who:
